tension
/ˈtenʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtenʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈten(t)-shən/ (ame, mw)
tension — noun
- tensionsingular
- tensionsplural
1. the worried or anxious feeling that people experience when they are about to fac
the worried or anxious feeling that people experience when they are about to face something stressful, like an interview, an exam, or an important performance
The night before her driving test, Sari felt so much tension that she could not sleep.
felt tension before [event]
Omar took three long, slow breaths to relieve the tension before his speech.
relieve tension collocation
The tension in the waiting room was so thick that no one spoke a word.
Beatriz could feel the tension rising in her chest as the doctor called her name.
For many students, examination day brings an overwhelming tension that affects their performance.
- stress
more about long-term mental pressure rather than the immediate nervous feeling before a specific event
- anxiety
a deeper, more lasting feeling of worry; less tied to a single upcoming event
- nervousness
lighter than tension; a mild, temporary feeling of being uneasy before something
- calm
a state of being relaxed and free from worry or nervousness
- relaxation
the opposite of the tight, alert feeling that tension brings
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
Typically uncountable. Common verb partners include feel, cause, create, reduce, relieve, and ease. Often paired with rising or building to describe the feeling becoming stronger.
常見錯誤
2. a state of unfriendliness or anger that exists between different groups, such as
a state of unfriendliness or anger that exists between different groups, such as ethnic communities, political parties, or countries, when there is little trust between them
The tension between the two political parties made it nearly impossible to pass new laws.
tension between [groups]
Religious tension in the region had been growing for many years before the conflict began.
religious / racial / political + tension
Diya tried to ease the tension between the factory workers and the management team.
The president's speech was meant to reduce ethnic tensions across the country.
Whenever the two families met for dinner, the old tensions between them came to the surface again.
- hostility
stronger and more active than tension; suggests open anger or aggressive behavior
- conflict
more active than tension; refers to actual fighting or serious disagreement rather than just a strained atmosphere
- friction
milder than tension; describes small, ongoing disagreements that cause annoyance
文法句型
uncountable noun
often followed by between
用法筆記
Frequently modified by adjectives naming the source of conflict: racial, political, social, ethnic, religious. Can be used in the plural (tensions) when referring to multiple sources or instances of conflict. The preposition between is the most common partner, but over can specify the cause of the tension.
常見錯誤
3. the state of a material, such as a rope, cable, or piece of fabric, being pulled
the state of a material, such as a rope, cable, or piece of fabric, being pulled so that it is straight and tight, or the amount of pull applied to keep it that way
The climber checked the tension of the rope before beginning the steep climb.
tension of [rope / cable / wire]
The violin player adjusted the tension of the strings to produce a clearer sound.
adjust the tension collocation
Too much tension on the cable caused it to snap during the storm.
The yoga teacher told the class to slowly release the tension from their shoulder muscles.
- tightness
a more everyday word for how tightly stretched something is; less technical than tension
- strain
focuses on the stress or pressure this pulling creates on the material, rather than the degree of stretch
- tautness
more formal; describes the condition of being pulled firmly straight without looseness
文法句型
uncountable noun
countable noun for specific measurements
用法筆記
In physics and engineering contexts, tension is a measurable force and can be used as a countable noun (the tensions in the bridge supports). In everyday language, it is usually uncountable. Common verbs: increase, reduce, release, adjust, maintain.
常見錯誤
4. the excited or uncertain feeling that a story, film, play, or piece of music cre
the excited or uncertain feeling that a story, film, play, or piece of music creates in the people watching or listening, usually because they do not yet know how things will turn out
The director built up the tension slowly so that the audience stayed on the edge of their seats.
build (up) tension — common artistic collocation
The writer used short, sharp sentences to create tension in the final chapter of her novel.
create tension in [work] pattern
In good horror stories, the tension comes from what the reader imagines rather than what is shown.
The composer added a slow, repeating drum beat to increase the tension in the final scene of the opera.
- suspense
very close in meaning; more specific to the feeling of not knowing what will happen next in a story
- excitement
broader and more positive than tension; does not carry the same edge of worry or uncertainty
- drama
refers to the overall emotional intensity or conflict in a work, not specifically the uncertain feeling tension describes
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
Frequently paired with dramatic, narrative, or musical to specify the type of work. Common in reviews and literary criticism. The verbs build, create, increase, and maintain are the most typical collocates.
常見錯誤
tension — verb
- tensionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tensions3rd person singular
- tensioning-ing form
- tensionedpast simple
1. to pull a muscle, rope, cable, or similar object so that it becomes tight or sti
to pull a muscle, rope, cable, or similar object so that it becomes tight or stiff, usually in preparation for using it or to support weight
The physical therapist told Christopher to tension his shoulder muscles for five seconds and then relax.
tension + muscle (body part object)
Eli tensioned the rope around the tent until it was completely straight and firm.
tension + rope/cable (material object)
The rock climber slowly tensioned each section of the safety line as she moved upward.
Before sewing the fabric, the tailor tensioned the thread by pulling it gently between his fingers.
- tighten
more common in everyday English; can apply to screws, knots, and other fasteners as well as ropes and muscles
- tense
the more common verb for making muscles stiff; also possible for a body tense up rather than tension something
- stretch
different direction — stretching makes something longer, while tensioning makes it tighter without necessarily lengthening it
文法句型
tension + noun phrase (body part or material)
用法筆記
Less common than the noun form; many speakers prefer the phrasal verb tense up or the simple adjective get tense. In sports, exercise, and craft contexts, tension as a verb is more frequent. It is almost always used transitively — you tension something.